Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study
Background The World Health Organization declared vaccine hesitancy a top threat to global health following resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases close to eradication in many countries (e.g. measles). Vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2048623 |
| _version_ | 1797673212242296832 |
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| author | Jeanna Parsons Leigh Donna Halperin Sara J. Mizen Emily A. FitzGerald Stephana Julia Moss Kirsten M. Fiest Antonia Di Castri Henry T. Stelfox Scott Halperin |
| author_facet | Jeanna Parsons Leigh Donna Halperin Sara J. Mizen Emily A. FitzGerald Stephana Julia Moss Kirsten M. Fiest Antonia Di Castri Henry T. Stelfox Scott Halperin |
| author_sort | Jeanna Parsons Leigh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The World Health Organization declared vaccine hesitancy a top threat to global health following resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases close to eradication in many countries (e.g. measles). Vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, yet there remains a small proportion of the eligible population who choose not to vaccinate. Social media and online news sources are opportunities for targeted public health interventions to improve vaccine uptake. This study reports the results of a semi-structured interview study that explored the influence of media and information on individuals’ self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was employed to gain insight from a diverse group of individuals. Adult participants were recruited through a related COVID-19 study; we used a maximum variation sampling technique and purposively sampled participants based on demographics. Interviews were conducted from February 2021 to May 2021. Themes from interviews were summarized with representative quotations according to the 3C Theoretical Framework (Confidence, Complacency, Convenience). Results Key themes identified following thematic analysis from 60 participants included: vaccine safety, choice of vaccine, fear mongering, trust in authority, belief in vaccinations (Confidence); delaying vaccination (Complacency); confusing information, access to vaccines and information (Convenience). While most participants intended to vaccinate, many expressed concerns and hesitancy. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy prevents universal immunization and contradictory messages in media are a source of concern and fear. The success of future vaccine campaigns will depend upon authorities’ ability to disseminate accessible, detailed, and consistent information promoting public confidence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:42:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6ba7a6ec87549989669b69550c62a89 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2164-5515 2164-554X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:42:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6ba7a6ec87549989669b69550c62a892023-09-26T13:19:05ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2022-11-0118510.1080/21645515.2022.20486232048623Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based studyJeanna Parsons Leigh0Donna Halperin1Sara J. Mizen2Emily A. FitzGerald3Stephana Julia Moss4Kirsten M. Fiest5Antonia Di Castri6Henry T. Stelfox7Scott Halperin8Dalhousie UniversityIWK Health CenterDalhousie UniversityDalhousie UniversityDalhousie UniversityAlberta Health Services & University of CalgaryIWK Health CenterAlberta Health Services & University of CalgaryIWK Health CenterBackground The World Health Organization declared vaccine hesitancy a top threat to global health following resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases close to eradication in many countries (e.g. measles). Vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, yet there remains a small proportion of the eligible population who choose not to vaccinate. Social media and online news sources are opportunities for targeted public health interventions to improve vaccine uptake. This study reports the results of a semi-structured interview study that explored the influence of media and information on individuals’ self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was employed to gain insight from a diverse group of individuals. Adult participants were recruited through a related COVID-19 study; we used a maximum variation sampling technique and purposively sampled participants based on demographics. Interviews were conducted from February 2021 to May 2021. Themes from interviews were summarized with representative quotations according to the 3C Theoretical Framework (Confidence, Complacency, Convenience). Results Key themes identified following thematic analysis from 60 participants included: vaccine safety, choice of vaccine, fear mongering, trust in authority, belief in vaccinations (Confidence); delaying vaccination (Complacency); confusing information, access to vaccines and information (Convenience). While most participants intended to vaccinate, many expressed concerns and hesitancy. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy prevents universal immunization and contradictory messages in media are a source of concern and fear. The success of future vaccine campaigns will depend upon authorities’ ability to disseminate accessible, detailed, and consistent information promoting public confidence.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2048623vaccination hesitancymediamisinformationcovid-19interviews |
| spellingShingle | Jeanna Parsons Leigh Donna Halperin Sara J. Mizen Emily A. FitzGerald Stephana Julia Moss Kirsten M. Fiest Antonia Di Castri Henry T. Stelfox Scott Halperin Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics vaccination hesitancy media misinformation covid-19 interviews |
| title | Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study |
| title_full | Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study |
| title_short | Exploring the impact of media and information on self-reported intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: A qualitative interview-based study |
| title_sort | exploring the impact of media and information on self reported intentions to vaccinate against covid 19 a qualitative interview based study |
| topic | vaccination hesitancy media misinformation covid-19 interviews |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2048623 |
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